Obituaries for January 26, 2009

Obituaries for January 26, 2009

January 26th, 2009 in Obituaries

HAMILTON COUNTY

Ruth Blankenship

Ruth Priddy Blankenship, 94, of Chattanooga, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009.

Ruth was born on Dec. 3, 1914, to the late James G. Priddy and Lena Collins Priddy. She was a member of Red Bank Baptist Church and the Amytie Sunday School Class. Ruth was a member of the Betsy Ross Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 272, where she had served as past matron.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Clyde Blankenship Sr.; siblings, James, Hollace, Wallace, Crawford, Dewitt, L.J., John and W. Burk Priddy, Rilla Caywood, Minnie Allison Spurenger, Betty Jane Allison, May and Ray Priddy; and one great-grandson, Raymond Blankenship.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Murrey McClure officiating.

Interment will be in Chattanooga Memorial Park.

To send the family a note of condolence, please visit their guest book at www.lane-coulterchapel.com.

The family will receive friends from 3-9 p.m. today, Jan. 26, at the Coulter Chapel of Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace.

E.C. Bull

Elden "E.C." Chancer Bull completed his earthly journey on his birthday, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, after a long illness at a local nursing home.

Mr. Bull was a WWII veteran, having served with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific in the war against Japan. He was a longtime member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 1491. He was a Baptist by faith but last attended Hixson Methodist Church.

His chosen occupation was a self-employed watchmaker, goldsmith and jeweler. He once owned Bull Brothers Jewelry Store in the original Hixson shopping strip in the 1950s. He later maintained his shop at home. He was also employed at DuPont Nylon Plant as an instrument mechanic for 33 years, retiring in 1982. Mr. Bull was a 50-year member and past grand master of the Hixson Masonic Lodge F&AM 727. He was also a longtime member of the Knights Templar and the Alhambra Shrine. He was very active in other charitable activities as well.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Delma Bull, of McMinn County; and three brothers, Russell, of Knox County, Hoyt and Marcel, both of Hamilton County.

Survivors include five brothers and sisters-in-law, Don and Betty Bull, Tony and Linda Bull, Linford and Jeanette Bull, Jimmy and Judy Bull, all of McMinn County, and Bernard and Barbara Bull, of Jefferson County; four children and spouses, Janice and Gary Smith, Brandon and Wanda Bull, Marcia and Gary Sivley and Michael Bull, all of Hamilton County; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and a large number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, etc.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors being provided by the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 203. Dr. Brad Bull will be officiating the service and the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 203 will be serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Mr. Bull's honor to the Shriners Crippled Children's Fund.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Soddy-Daisy Healthcare for their care, support and love.

To send the family a note of condolence, please visit their guest book at www.lane-coulterchapel.com.

Rose Therese Cesario, 73, of Chattanooga, died on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, at her residence.

She was a journalist, artist and an advocate for social concerns. Rose had an incredible love and was a woman of God.

She is survived by her family and loved ones: her sons, Vincent and his wife, Carol, Charlie and his wife, Renee, and E.K. and his wife, Arlene; her grandsons; brothers; sister; several nieces and nephews; and her ex-husband, Hank Blount.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.

To send the family a note of condolence, please visit their guest book at www.lane-coulterchapel.com. The family will receive friends from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the Coulter Chapel of Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace.

Dad grew up in the Oak Grove community and attended Oak Grove Baptist Church. Shirley was a former member of Highland Park Baptist Church and served as a deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church. He attended East Side Junior High School and graduated from Central High School and was in the class of 1941. While at Central, he was all-city at quarterback on the football team and earned a scholarship to Memphis State to play football. He also was an all-city guard on the basketball team, where he was captain; and an all-city shortstop on the baseball team. He was a member of the "C" Club for three years lettering in three sports all three years. He was the 1941 May King at Central High School.

A veteran of WWII, he served with the 1330 Army Air Force Base Unit Air Transport Command stationed in China, Burma, India, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. He was crew chief, aeronautical engineer and top turret gunner in a B-24. He flew 87 missions over the Hump (normal was 50).

During his service, he was awarded the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Service Stars, American Theatre Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He also received an honorable discharge in 1945.

At the end of World War II, he attended Dickson College in Carlyle, Pa.

An avid sports participant, he played amateur softball, church league basketball and golf. His last sport love was bass fishing and was a founding member of Bass Masters.

He worked for the Southern Railway for 45 years as a locomotive engineer, as did his father and older brother.

In 1982, he was elected to the Hamilton County Metro Charter Commission Study.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Dowling Gardenhire Sr. and Alice Wilson Gardenhire; first wife, Martha Stutz Gardenhire, married for 38 years, who died in 1980; older brother, William Dowling Gardenhire Jr.; and younger sister, Ellen Gardenhire Engel.

Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Joy at Highland Park Baptist Church or Bethel Bible Village.

Arrangements will be announced later by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.

Hugh Harris

Hugh Harris, 78, of Ooltewah, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Friday evening, Jan. 23, 2009, in a local hospital.

A lifelong resident of the Chattanooga area, he was a longtime mechanic, race car driver, semi-pro baseball player and a loving husband and father.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Venita Grace Harris; son, Lawrence Richard Harris; his uncle and aunt who raised him, Bill and Callie Ballinger and a brother, Forrest Harris.

Survivors include his daughter and her husband, Denise and Cecil Johnson, Soddy-Daisy and a son and his wife, Randy and Brandi Harris, East Ridge; five grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great- grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Terry Evans officiating.

Interment will be in Lakewood Memory Gardens, South.

Please share your thoughts and memories online at mem.com.

The family will receive friends until the time of service today at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway.

Joyce Hendricks

Joyce Wolfe Hendricks, 71, of Harrison, died Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, at her home surrounded by her children, grandchildren and other family members.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. today in the Highway 58 Chapel of Turner Funeral Home with the Rev. David Ferguson and the Rev. Ernest Sutton officiating.

Arrangements will be announced by Covenant Funeral and Cremation Service, Crox family owned and operated, www.CovenantFuneral.com.

Garnett Mansfield

R. Garnett Mansfield, 86, of Chattanooga, joined his heavenly Father on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009, at his residence with his loving family at his side.

Arrangements will be announced by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.

Mattie Montgomery

Mattie Pearl Pearson Montgomery, 73, of Chattanooga, affectionately known as "Mrs. Mattie," went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, in a local hospital.

She was born Aug. 28, 1935, to the late Ocie and Veora Pearson of Lincoln, Ala., where she was educated in the Talladega, Ala., Public School System. She received her degree in early childhood development, which served as the platform for her ministry and purpose in life of serving others. She retired from the Chattanooga Public School System/Cedar Hill Head Start program after many years of dedication to the field of early childhood development.

Raymond Lee Powell, 74, of Chattanooga, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, in a local hospital.

Mr. Powell was a longtime resident of Chattanooga and he graduated from Central High School in 1954. Raymond retired from BellSouth after 38 years of service. He served as vice president of Communication Workers of America. He was a member of Brainerd Baptist Church and the Harry Eustice Sunday School Class. He was active in the Southeast Tennessee Tres Dias Spiritual Community, where he unselfishly served in various positions. He was a past potentate of the Alhambra Shrine.

He was preceded in death by father, E.H. Powell.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Phyllis Powell, of Chattanooga; daughter, Rhonda (Eddie) Neal, of East Ridge; two sons, Mel (Beth) Powell, of Ooltewah, and Lee (Laura) Powell Kay, of Ringgold, Ga.; five grandchildren, Riley Powell, Jake Eubanks, Rance Neal, R.L. Neal and Grandall Massengale; mother, Bertha L. Powell, of Chattanooga; two brothers, the Rev. Royce Powell and his wife, Glenda, of Chattanooga, and Jimmy Powell and his wife, Nancy, of Chattanooga.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today at Brainerd Baptist Church with the Rev. George Clark and the Rev. Dale Lovelady officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Harry Eustice Sunday School Class.

Interment will be in Lakewood Memory Gardens, South.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. today at Brainerd Baptist Church.

Funeral service at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Ewing officiating.

Interment in Buttram Cemetery.

Visitation 5-9 p.m. today.

Arrangements by Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home Inc., Dayton.

Mary Whitefield

NEW HOPE -- Mary Blevins Whitefield, 62, died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, at her home surrounded by her family.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Whitefield; daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Scott McClendon; granddaughter, Kacie McClendon, all of New Hope; special aunts and uncles, R.O. and Jewell Blevins, Wiley Raley and Pearl Poe; sisters-in-law, Nell Stewart, Lola (Jerry) Walker and Mary Lou Bryant; special nephew and niece, James and Carrie Waldrop; special cousins, Waymon and Vickie Blevins, Jerry and Marlynn Blevins, Jane and Jerry Kennemore, Linda and Tony Perez and Bobby Blevins; and Nana's special buddies, Keli Bruning and Rebekah Wilson.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. CST today, Jan. 26, 2009, from the South Pittsburg Chapel of Rogers Funeral Home.

Interment will follow in New Hope Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.rogersfuneralhome.com.